Monthly Archives: October 2016

Tim Hoerman from 51st Ward Beer Co, and Kevin Salvi from Bucket List Brewing got together on the first day of the Cubs 2016 season and put a saison into a red wine barrel. On Oct 29th, ahead of Game 4 of the World Series, they bottled this in flip-top bottles and added a Cubs blue wax seal.
Phil headed down to Blue Nose Brewing in Hodgkins, IL., where the lads were bottling their offering. We hear from the brewers, and then Phil heads off to find co-host Mark Naski for his opinion.

We feel privileged to have been there for the bottling and to have sampled it first-hand.
Cheers lads and Go Cubs!

​Recently a local liquor chain sent out a coupon for a couple of bucks off their pick-your-own 6-pack, so we stopped by and selected 6 cans from local suburban and beyond, Illinois breweries. We reviewed them a mind to introducing the breweries to folks who may not have tried them yet, and all are readily available.

In addition, at mid-point in our 6-pack review, we’ll take a break and visit with Brian Pawola, head brewer from Pollyanna Brewing in Lemont, and we chatted with him at the brewery’s recent 2nd Anniversary party. We talk about his recent GABF bronze medal for his Fruhof Oktoberfest, and his 2nd Anniversary releases, including his smoked lager and several editions of Personal Chain Letter (PCL), Imperial Stout. Head to 37:00 minutes in to the podcast if you want to skip our chatter.

Following GABF, Mark took a road trip out to the West, and visited Laramie Wyoming and Boise Idaho, and discovered that those cowboys have pretty good breweries and beers! He brings back samples from 4 breweries on this show, and we get a good sampling across the styles. Guest John Karwoski joins us as we record live from John’s Tavern in Winfield.

First stop in Laramie, is Altitude Brewing, or to give them their full title, Altitude Chophouse and Brewery. We have a crowler of their Imperial Stout, 7200′ Stout, clocking in at 7%. Three weeks old, Mark wasn’t sure it would stand up but boy, it sure did!

Next we head to Boise, for the first of three brewery stops. We sample the opposite end of the beer spectrum, an American lager called North Fork, from Payette Brewing. This one is a great lager, and probably sells pretty well as a transition craft beer, and a light 4.4%.

Next, the oldest brewery in Boise, we sample Highlands Hollow Brewhouse, and a growler of a mystery beer. Why mystery? Mark forgot what he ordered and the cap wasn’t marked! We think it is either the Fiegwild English pale ale, or the Thunder Monkey Best Bitter. Apologies to brewer Chris Compton, but we liked it a lot.

Finally, 2 cans of brewing goodness from the Sockeye Grill & Brewery, who are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year. Our first can is Hell-Diver Pale Ale, 5.5%. Lastly, a brown porter called Powerhouse, 6.0%, which proved to be very drinkable and John’s favorite.

We love putting shows together, but this one was a particular pleasure and a treat for both of us. Following GABF 2016, Mark and Phil sit down with one of the Illinois medal winning brewers, Shaun Berns from Ram Brewery (Schaumburg) to chat about his passion, and taste some of his beers including the Gold Medal winning, Chaos.

We taste his Oktoberfest, Pumpkin Beer, Saison, and the legendary Juicy DIPA ahead of completely luxuriating in Chaos, Chocolate Beer.

Head out to Schaumburg and try his beers – you won’t be disappointed!
Check out all the GABF winners – here